Shopping for new clothes is a therapeutic experience for many. However, buying the perfect outfit is not the end of it – pairing them with the right supportive garments is essential to complete the look and feel of the outfit. Body shapers are among these garments that accentuate one’s body shape and enhance the appeal of the ensemble. This article provides a detailed insight into why body shapers should be a part of women’s wardrobes.

Benefits of wearing a body shaper

• Abdominal compression
  Body shapers increase heat around the abdominal region, causing compression and increasing one’s perspiration during physical activity. This process significantly helps with burning calories.
• Spine and postural support
  Body shapers tuck in the abdomen and elevate one’s posture, providing spinal support and helping prevent and manage back-related issues.
• Support for the bustline
  Many body shapers can be wrapped underneath the bust line, uplifting one’s breasts and providing bustline support. Body shapers are particularly useful when one is wearing a strapless dress, as strapless bras typically do not offer bust support.
• Help with shedding pounds after childbirth
  Shedding those extra pounds is often a challenge for women after childbirth. In such cases, shapewear can provide abdominal support and compression, motivating women to persevere and achieve their fitness goals.
• Improved blood circulation
  Body shapers help with enhancing blood circulation to different parts of the body, facilitating cell development and better organ functioning. Improved blood circulation can also enhance cardiovascular health, maintaining blood pressure levels and relaxing the heart muscles. However, one must avoid wearing the garment every day as it may have other internal body-related repercussions.
• Better skin
  Enhanced blood circulation due to shapewear can improve skin quality considerably and reduce acne and skin pigmentation.
• Motivation to exercise regularly
  Shedding extra pounds and burning calories requires a systematic exercise routine, which is achievable only with intrinsic motivation. Body shapers provide the required motivation to exercise by ensuring abdominal compression and offering a perception of one’s body after shedding a few pounds.
• Relief from aches and pains
  Poor posture can often cause back muscle pain and discomfort. As mentioned earlier, body shapers provide back and postural support, causing these muscles to relax and helping manage muscle pain.
• Thin and comfortable
  Body shapers are extremely comfortable and are not visible underneath one’s outfits. Thus, one can easily wear a body shaper under all types of outfits, including skirts, dresses, and denims. They can also be worn for long hours without any discomfort; this also depends on the shapewear fabric.

Tips to choose the right shapewear

• Choose a body shaper based on the body size
  Many people choose body shapers based on their ideal body sizes as opposed to their actual sizes. However, this can cause more muscle compression than required, leading to discomfort. Hence, it is important to check the size chart carefully before buying a body shaper.
• Understand one’s body shape
  Different styles of shapewear exist, catering to different body shapes, such as pear shape, apple shape, and hourglass shape. Understanding one’s body shape can help one pick the right shapewear for adequate muscle compression and an enhanced final look.
• Go for low-stretch fabrics
  Stretchy body shapers reduce muscle compression and minimize its associated benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to buy body shapers made of low-stretch fabric that can compress the abdominal muscles.
• When in doubt, opt for nude colors
  Choosing the wrong shapewear color can sometimes cause the shapewear to be visible underneath one’s ensemble. Thus, when in doubt about the right shade of the body shaper, it is always best to opt for a nude shade, as these body shapers are typically not visible underneath an outfit.
• Buy body shapers with bust support
  Body shapers with bust support work well not only with strapless dresses and bras but also with all other types of outfits. Thus, it is best to choose body shapers that provide adequate bust support.
• Try the body shaper before buying it
  Although one may have picked a body shaper of the right size, some body shapers may still cause excessive or inadequate muscle compression. Thus, it is best to try out a body shaper before buying it to ensure that it fits well and is of a superior-quality material.
• Check out body shapers by different brands
  An analysis of the different body shaper brands can help one figure out their features, textures, and prices. The best bet is to opt for a body shaper that is available at a reasonable price but offers optimal muscle compression, comfort, and bust support.
• Find different shapewear for different outfits
  Certain types of shapewear may be suited only to particular outfits. Thus, it is important to know what body shaper suits what type of ensembles and buy shapewear accordingly. Alternatively, one should look for body shapers that complement all types of outfits. Speaking with a salesperson at the shopping center and trying out body shapers with different outfits can help one pick the right body shapers.
• Avoid compromising on quality for price
  Although reasonably priced body shapers can help save a few dollars, compromising on the body shaper’s quality can cause several issues in the long run, including inadequate compression, discomfort, and skin problems. Thus, it is important to look for reasonably priced body shapers that do not compromise on quality and texture and provide optimal body support.
• Consult a fashion expert for events and occasions
  For significant events like weddings that require one to dress up and look the best, it is advised to consult a fashion expert. They can help one choose the right body shapers that best complement the chosen outfit. It is best to consult a professional in such cases than risk a fashion blooper.

Choosing the right shapewear is all about understanding one’s body shape and size, undertaking market research, and trying out the body shaper before purchase. A few measures taken before buying a shapewear can help one strike the perfect look and reap the benefits of postural support.